The Conundrum of Green Consciousness

Concern for the environment is hardly a single mind-set. A look through a few of the many environmental magazines quickly reveals its seemingly infinite permutations and combinations.

At one point on the spectrum, we find down-to-earth journals like Garbage, featuring articles on such subjects as mulching and paper recycling. Advertising in Garbage comes from companies producing “environmentally compatible” paints and other household products, composting toilets, and solar electric systems.

At another extreme, we have glossy publications like Earthwatch, apparently bent on doing for environmentalism what Playboy did for a certain vision of sex. Earthwatch is largely g...